Young girls of St Agnes College have decided to break silence and end violence with a unique programme, 'Atrocities on women - Not any more' on the College premises on Monday.
The two-hour variety programme was chalked out with an aim to create awareness on safety of women, especially after the gruesome Delhi rape incident.
The programme began with a candle light vigil. Students silently marched into the college auditorium with placards having slogans demanding safety of women. A prayer service was held and tributes were paid to women who lost lives due to atrocities.
Panel discussion
A panel discussion was the highlight of the programme. CWC President Asha Nayak, who was one of the panelists, pointed out that many rape victims delay in filing complaint due to shame, fear and family pressure. Finally, when they file complaint the incident would be old and difficult to gather evidence.
In incidents such as rape, the victim should not wash herself and should report the incident to the police and undergo a medical examination. The victim should also keep the clothes she was wearing as it could be used to gather clues, she said.
She pointed out that many families of victims decide to compromise with the accused, for money.
Hence, this sends a wrong message that a person can get away with any crime with money. This is wrong as the accused needs to be punished for the crime, if the charges are proved, she said.
For the fear of their name becoming public, many women hesitate to complain. Sometimes, media reveals names of rape victims.
Many gang rapes are happening in the district. However, these cases go unnoticed. If there is a public outcry for every such incident, probably the system can be changed, she said.
Social activist Vidhya Dinkar said there was need for correcting oneself instead of waiting for a stringent law to bring in a change.
Dinkar also said that life goes on even after rape and one should not think that their life is finished. There is a need to change one’s mindset, she stressed.
“Many may fear that they cannot get married after rape. One can live a fruitful life without marriage. It is better to marry a man who accepts a woman as she is than blaming her for an incident where she is not at fault,” she said.
She also said that there are many workplaces with no grievance cells. Women, who are subjected to sexual harassment at work, are unaware of their rights, she said.
Dance ballet
A dance ballet, 'From the womb to the tomb' was held creating awareness on various atrocities, a woman faces. Incidents such as female foeticide, forced marriage, dowry harassment, outcast of widows, abuse, rape were enacted by students.
A karate demonstration was also held with an aim to teach self-defence methods.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, event coordinator and lecturer Dr Deviprabha said that there is no point in calling for bandhs and shutting oneself in their homes when such incidents occur. There is a need to create awareness in every college with programmes like these.